Tag Archives: Rainbow Bridge

There is one more star in the skies today. Our beautiful Sally Bear, Jack Russell Terrier Extraordinaire, finished her work on earth on Tuesday night and left us grieving, but peaceful – just like her passing.
She enriched our lives with her gentle and ladylike ways. Never one to push herself forward, she was sensitive but self –contained. No dramas, no fuss. Except for people passing, dogs passing, postmen calling, leaves falling from the trees – but that’s just a girl’s job, isn’t it??
Her abiding passion was food, food and more food. Titbits were usually taken with added fingers, unless we remembered to remind her “Gently….”, and even then there was often minor bloodshed (ours, never hers!). Mealtimes were the highlight of the day, and one of the advantages (to her) of her liver condition was that her wonderful vet Sue Armstrong had said she was to have four meals a day rather than two – they were supposed to be small but Sally made it clear that she needed large, so large it was. At the very end of her life, when dementia, and liver failure had taken so much from her, it was her one remaining joy.
She and her “sister”, terrier cross Tilly, came home to me and my then husband Martin, from North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre on 18th August 2000. They had been found straying together, age unknown. Their needs and issues completely changed the path of my life – to preserve my sanity and theirs I studied gentle training methods, flower essences, energy therapies and finally came home again to animal communication, all through their guidance. They are responsible for the depth and variety of the toolkit now used by Animal Matters on a daily basis to help other animals and their people to find peace and personal development.
Sally has been a rock in my life; but not only for me. Her deep wisdom, steadfast support and unwavering loyalty to all concerned played a huge part in steering both me and my ex-husband through the storms of the major life changes which occurred five years ago, and which has now brought us all to a place approaching peace. She and Tilly made many sacrifices for this to happen, and they are SO much appreciated.
She also taught my new partner Elaine to love Jack Russells. Elaine’s previous experience of the breed was that they were just snappy and noisy – she quickly learned that only noisy was true (and even that not all the time), and her relationship with Sally quickly became very special.
As a valued member of the Animal Matters Teaching Team, there are so many stories of her successes – she left one particular student in no doubt that it was not necessary for either her or her photograph to be present, when she cut in on Tilly’s communication from the comfort of her bed in the next room!
Sal had only two terrors in her life – loud noises, which we sorted with the help of our own therapies plus Sue the vet’s ever-amazing homeopathy, and fear of pain – she had to be muzzled for any procedure at all, as she would literally fight for her life, totally against her usual calm and tolerant personality.
But she even used this to teach right to the last minute of her life. We knew she was failing fast, and that her quality of life and dignity was all but gone – but she was physically still vital, still able to run (in a shaky way), and to eat. Although I was 99% convinced we’d heard her right about it being time, I still had a worm of doubt – and I SO didn’t want her to struggle or fight, which had been the hallmark of every visit to the vet involving more than a consultation. When the moment came, and we lifted her on to the table wrapped in her blanket, she lay totally peaceful and trusting – she all but offered her leg for the needle. She confirmed to us all that the timing was totally right, and that her message had been heard correctly. There was sadness, of course – but Sue herself said – “There’s joy in this experience too”. There was.
All of the animals who have shared our lives have left us in no doubt that life continues eternally and communicates eternally, and that physical death is no more than a transition to a different level of being. It doesn’t stop the grief or the tears – but it holds its own comfort.
Sally made her transition with peace and love in her heart and a whole packet of the normally forbidden chocolate buttons in her tummy. We know she will continue to work with us, help us and love us, as we will her. We owe a massive debt of gratitude for all she has been and will be for us in the future. Thank you, darling angel dog, with all our being. We were so privileged to be part of your life, and of your passing.
With all our love, Mum Sue, Mum Elaine, Tilly, Benson and Rupert. XXXXXXXX